Scarlet Scarab
Encyclopedia
Scarlet Scarab is the name of two fictional characters in the Marvel Universe
.
#23 (December 1977), and was created by Roy Thomas
, Archie Goodwin
, and Frank Robbins
. The character also appeared in The Invaders #25 (February 1978).
The second Scarlet Scarab first appeared in Thor
#326 (December 1982), and was created by Doug Moench
and Alan Kupperberg
. He received an entry in the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
#9.
According to Roy Thomas, the Scarlet Scarab, like the Silver Scarab
in Infinity Inc, was an homage to the Dan Garret incarnation of the Blue Beetle
"about whom I had written my second professional comics story back in 1965." The magician and warrior who created the Ruby Scarab were named Garret and Dann.
, around 3500 B.C. When Dr. Faoul touched the mystical power-object, he became the Scarlet Scarab and became a champion of Egypt during World War II.
Dr. Faoul worked as a liaison between the Allied Forces and the Egyptian government, and led the Human Torch and Namor to a recently excavated pyramid in search of the fanatic nationalist group, the Sons of the Scarab. Faoul, who was actually the leader of the Sons of the Scarab, tricked the heroes into opening the vault where the fist-sized ruby was kept. As the Scarlet Scarab, he first ousted the British, and then the Nazis, from Egypt. Following the war, the Scarlet Scarab continued to battle criminals until one day in the 1950's, the ruby simply disappeared.
Dr. Faoul had not realized that the gem's crafter, a powerful pre-dynastic Egyptian sorcerer named Garret, had placed an enchantment on it that it would return to Garret's tomb whenever it had exhausted its store of mystical power. Faoul spent the next twenty years in search of the ruby, not realizing it had returned to where he had found it. Eventually, the Elementals
sent N'Kantu, the Living Mummy
to fetch the ruby. The ruby changed hands a number of times after N'Kantu recovered it, going from the Living Monolith
, a thief named Daniel "the Asp" Aspen, the Elementals, and an extra-dimensional traveler named Hecate
before exhausting its power once again and returning to its tomb.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdoul continued searching until his death. As his dying act, he requested his son Mehemet to continue his quest.
, who mistook his intentions and the two fought to a standstill.
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Publication history
The first Scarlet Scarab first appeared in InvadersInvaders (comics)
The Invaders is the name of two fictional superhero teams in the . The original team was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema in The Avengers #71 . A present-day incarnation was introduced by writer Chuck Austen and artist Scott Kolins in The Avengers vol...
#23 (December 1977), and was created by Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, Archie Goodwin
Archie Goodwin (comics)
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work...
, and Frank Robbins
Frank Robbins
Franklin "Frank" Robbins was a notable American comic book and comic strip artist and writer, as well as a prominent painter whose work appeared in museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art, where one of his paintings was featured in the 1955 Whitney Annual Exhibition of American...
. The character also appeared in The Invaders #25 (February 1978).
The second Scarlet Scarab first appeared in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
#326 (December 1982), and was created by Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
and Alan Kupperberg
Alan Kupperberg
Alan Kupperberg is an American comic artist known for working in both comic books and newspaper strips.-Career:Kupperberg began writing and drawing for Marvel Comics in 1974, mostly doing fill-ins and one-shots...
. He received an entry in the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#9.
According to Roy Thomas, the Scarlet Scarab, like the Silver Scarab
Hector Hall
Hector Hall was a superhero who appeared in DC Comics's Infinity, Inc., Sandman and JSA. He has gone by the names Silver Scarab, Sandman and, before his death, Dr. Fate.-Childhood:...
in Infinity Inc, was an homage to the Dan Garret incarnation of the Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
"about whom I had written my second professional comics story back in 1965." The magician and warrior who created the Ruby Scarab were named Garret and Dann.
Abdul Faoul
Abdul Faoul was a famous archeologist during World War II. He unearthed the Ruby Scarab, an artifact that was originally created to battle the ElementalsElementals (Marvel Comics)
The Elementals is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The Elementals first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #8 , and were created by Tony Isabella and Val Mayerik....
, around 3500 B.C. When Dr. Faoul touched the mystical power-object, he became the Scarlet Scarab and became a champion of Egypt during World War II.
Dr. Faoul worked as a liaison between the Allied Forces and the Egyptian government, and led the Human Torch and Namor to a recently excavated pyramid in search of the fanatic nationalist group, the Sons of the Scarab. Faoul, who was actually the leader of the Sons of the Scarab, tricked the heroes into opening the vault where the fist-sized ruby was kept. As the Scarlet Scarab, he first ousted the British, and then the Nazis, from Egypt. Following the war, the Scarlet Scarab continued to battle criminals until one day in the 1950's, the ruby simply disappeared.
Dr. Faoul had not realized that the gem's crafter, a powerful pre-dynastic Egyptian sorcerer named Garret, had placed an enchantment on it that it would return to Garret's tomb whenever it had exhausted its store of mystical power. Faoul spent the next twenty years in search of the ruby, not realizing it had returned to where he had found it. Eventually, the Elementals
Elementals (Marvel Comics)
The Elementals is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The Elementals first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #8 , and were created by Tony Isabella and Val Mayerik....
sent N'Kantu, the Living Mummy
N'Kantu, the Living Mummy
N'Kantu the Living Mummy is a fictional supernatural hero in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #5 , created by Steve Gerber and Rich Buckler.-Publication history:...
to fetch the ruby. The ruby changed hands a number of times after N'Kantu recovered it, going from the Living Monolith
Living Monolith
The Living Monolith is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . He first appeared in X-Men #54 .Abdol was the Living Pharaoh while in his normal appearance, but once he obtained enough cosmic energy, he would increase in mass, size, and power, thus becoming the Living Monolith.Abdol has...
, a thief named Daniel "the Asp" Aspen, the Elementals, and an extra-dimensional traveler named Hecate
Hecate (Marvel Comics)
-Hecate :A supervillain named Hecate appeared in Ms. Marvel #11-13 , and was created by Chris Claremont and Sal Buscema....
before exhausting its power once again and returning to its tomb.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdoul continued searching until his death. As his dying act, he requested his son Mehemet to continue his quest.
Mehemet Faoul
Mehemet received from his father the strongbox in which he had kept the Ruby Scarab. Inside was the costume he had worn as the Scarlet Scarab, a journal of his exploits, and a photo of the ruby. Mehemet considered it his duty to continue his father's quest, searching for years as his father had. Finally, Mehemet came to the gem's final resting place. Holding the ruby, he gained the powers of the Scarlet Scarab, and set out to become Egypt's new champion. One of his goals was the protection of Egypt's priceless ancient artifacts. In one mission to recover some stolen artifacts, the Scarlet Scarab encountered ThorThor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, who mistook his intentions and the two fought to a standstill.